Published on Nov 5, 1997
The night I saw Rory Gallagher (pronounced “Gal – a – her”), I
was wasted. He and his band opened for Rod Stewart and the Faces,
notorious for being a loose, good-time, party band. So, everyone
came prepared, not caring for the little known band of Irishmen who
would play the first 45 minutes or so. It was simply more time to
toke up and drink.
Rory took the stage in darkness. A single light blinked on to
illuminate this rather ordinary looking guy in a flannel shirt and
jeans, holding a red guitar. He began to play – fast. Not in a
flashy manner, but, understated, as if he was trying to say
something that could not be expressed in words. Alternating between
slide and his fingers, he worked himself into a frenzy. Suddenly,
the band kicked in and Rory and his guitar began to sing together:
“If I was a cradle, then you’d let me rock … if I was a pony,
then you’d let me trot … if I was an atom, you’d split me into
three …”
In an instant, I was straight, riveted to the stage. The blues
were never the same for me after that night. Guitar fanatics are
notoriously opinionated. There are those who will whisper with
reverence: “Eric Clapton is God,” “Hendrix, man, Hendrix,” or,
“Duane Allman was the King.” For my money, Rory Gallagher played
the blues the way they were meant to be played: with passion,
drenched in soul, steeped in alcohol and poverty.
Irish Tour ’74 is Rory Gallagher at his best, serving up a
variety of guitar blues styles to a hometown audience. His band
includes long-time bassist Gerry McAvoy and drummer Rod de’Ath with
the addition of Lou Martin on electric keyboards and organ – giving
the music an underlying jaunty feel. From the blues rock of the
aforementioned “Cradle Rock” to the acoustic swamp blues of Tony
Joe White’s “As The Crow Flies” to the Chicago blues tribute to
Muddy Waters via “I Wonder Who’s Gonna Be Your Sweet Man,” Rory
plays it all. The highlight, however, is an eleven minute version
of “Walk On Hot Coals,” a blistering update of the traditional
“meeting the devil at the crossroads” blues motif, Irish style.
Rory Gallagher died following a failed liver transplant in June
of 1995. He never achieved the success he deserved, gigging night
after night in obscurity. After he died, the people of Cork stood
in the streets, mourning and cheering him as the funeral procession
wound its way through his adopted hometown. It was a send-off
worthy of royalty. Rory Gallagher deserves your attention now. You
deserve to hear the message of an angel who may forever change your
heart and soul.